Medical use of stem cells Stem cells that are removed from living organisms can be used for medical purposes. After they are removed they can be used in a laboratory to generate new tissue. This new tissue (like skin grafts) can be transplanted into patients with damaged or diseased tissue (like a patient with serious burns). Scientists are currently carrying out stem cell research in an effort to find cures and treatments for many illnesses that affect people, e.g. Parkinson’s disease, strokes and spinal cord injuries. The removal of embryonic stem cells destroys the embryo. This is a controversial practice as
Leukaemia A type of cancer that affects the bone marrow where large numbers of abnormal white blood cells are produced. They stop the other blood cells from functioning properly.
some people believe that it is wrong to destroy embryos. The medical applications of embryonic stem cells are still being researched. The use of adult stem cells is not as controversial. They are removed from adults with their consent and removing them does not harm the person. One use of adult stem cells like
those found in bone marrow is for the treatment of leukaemia. The patient’s diseased bone marrow is destroyed using chemicals injected into the body. Transplanted bone marrow is then used to form new healthy bone marrow and blood cells.
Fig. 14 New tissue can be grown from stem cells in a laboratory.
7.5 How society influences scientific research Stem cell research is an example of how the needs of society influence scientific research. Scientists are aware of and respond to the needs and interests of the society in which they live. Issues that are important to society will often receive funding for research. For example during World War I and World War II a lot of scientific research took place to develop more advanced weapons like the nuclear bomb. Around this time antibiotics were discovered and a lot of scientific research took place to isolate and purify these medicines. Now the world faces new challenges such as problems caused by climate change and finding
treatments for illnesses. Some examples of current scientific research include: Many scientists are now researching new technologies in renewable energy. Cancer is a very common illness and many scientists are researching new treatments and possible cures for various types of cancer. The emergence of antibiotic resistant ‘superbugs’ has led to the need for research into new antibiotics.
